Wedding Budget Calculator
Set your total wedding budget, split it across categories and see whether you’re on track, over budget, or under-allocated — with a per-guest cost breakdown.
Use “Apply Suggested Split” to fill these from your total budget using illustrative UK planning percentages, then adjust freely.
Budget Breakdown by Category
Category Breakdown
Wedding Budget Calculator UK
Our Wedding Budget Calculator helps you plan and track how your total wedding budget splits across venue, catering, photography, attire, flowers, entertainment and more. Set your own total, apply an illustrative UK planning split as a starting point, and adjust every category to match your priorities and real supplier quotes.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your total wedding budget and your expected guest count.
- Choose your region — this only changes the guidance text, not your figures, since venue and supplier pricing varies by area.
- Apply the suggested split to auto-fill each category from illustrative planning percentages, or enter your own figures from real quotes.
- Adjust any category up or down to reflect what matters most to you.
- Click Calculate Budget to see your total allocation, remaining budget or overspend, cost per guest, and a contingency check.
A Starting Point for Splitting Your Budget
There’s no official rule for how a wedding budget should be divided — every couple’s priorities differ. The percentages below are commonly used as a rough planning starting point, not a fixed formula, and this calculator lets you override every figure.
| Category | Illustrative Starting Split |
|---|---|
| Venue & Catering | ~40% |
| Photography & Videography | ~10% |
| Attire & Beauty | ~8% |
| Flowers & Decor | ~8% |
| Entertainment & Music | ~7% |
| Stationery & Favours | ~3% |
| Rings | ~5% |
| Transport | ~3% |
| Miscellaneous & Contingency | ~16% |
Why Include a Contingency Category?
Wedding costs commonly shift as plans firm up — a supplier quote comes in higher than expected, or a last-minute addition appears. Building a contingency allowance into your budget from the outset, rather than treating it as an afterthought, gives you room to absorb these changes without going over your overall total. This calculator flags when your Miscellaneous & Contingency category falls below a commonly suggested 10% buffer.
Tips for Keeping a Wedding Budget on Track
- Get multiple quotes: Pricing for venues, photographers and caterers varies significantly — comparing at least three quotes per category can reveal meaningful savings.
- Confirm your guest count early: Catering and venue costs are usually charged per head, so a firm guest list makes your budget far more reliable.
- Separate “must-haves” from “nice-to-haves”: Deciding upfront which two or three elements matter most lets you allocate more there and trim elsewhere.
- Track spend as you book, not just at the end: Updating each category as deposits are paid keeps your remaining budget accurate throughout planning.
- Watch for hidden extras: Service charges, VAT, corkage and delivery fees can add up — check whether supplier quotes are inclusive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for a wedding in the UK?
There’s no single “right” figure — total spend depends heavily on guest numbers, region and priorities. This calculator lets you set your own total budget and see how it splits across categories, rather than relying on a fixed average. Many UK couples plan somewhere between £15,000 and £30,000, but weddings are held successfully well outside that range too.
What percentage of a wedding budget should go on the venue?
Venue and catering is typically the largest single category, often suggested as a starting point around 35-45% of the total budget. This is a planning guideline rather than a fixed rule — you can adjust the split freely to match your own priorities.
How much contingency should I include?
A contingency allowance of around 10% is a commonly used planning buffer for unexpected costs like supplier price changes or last-minute additions. This calculator flags if your miscellaneous/contingency category falls below that level.
Does location affect wedding costs?
Venue and supplier pricing generally varies by region, with London and the South East often commanding higher rates than other parts of the UK. Selecting your region above adjusts the guidance text but does not change your entered figures — you should still use your own supplier quotes.
How can I reduce wedding costs without cutting corners?
Common approaches include choosing an off-peak date or weekday, trimming the guest list, opting for a set menu rather than a full buffet, and prioritising the few elements that matter most to reduce spend elsewhere. Comparing multiple supplier quotes for each category can also reveal savings.
Should hen and stag do costs be included in the wedding budget?
Hen and stag celebrations are usually treated as a separate budget, often contributed to or paid by attendees rather than the couple, so they’re excluded from the categories here. You can add a category manually if you’d like to track it within your total.